Aspiring GOP congresswoman said rape victims who have abortions are murderers – and that non-Christian religions are akin to witchcraft

Washington state Republican candidate Katy Cornell has faced criticism after resurfaced sermon recordings showed her describing abortion as murder, including after rape, and appearing to endorse the view that worship outside Christianity is witchcraft. The recordings have intensified scrutiny of how her religious beliefs might relate to her campaign for a seat in the state House.

Cornell, a founding pastor of SOZO Church, is running in the 26th Legislative District against Democrat Renee Hernandez Greenfield in November. Her husband said he removed several thousand sermons from YouTube and the church website because he feared they would be taken out of context. Cornell denies being a Christian nationalist and says she would represent constituents of all faiths, uphold constitutional rights and respect voters’ decisions on abortion.